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Review
. 2022 Sep;78(Suppl 1):S14-S23.
doi: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2022.07.009. Epub 2022 Aug 30.

Literature search: Simple rules for confronting the unknown

Ruchika Jha  1 , Vishal Sondhi  2 , Biju Vasudevan  3
Affiliations
Review

Literature search: Simple rules for confronting the unknown

Ruchika Jha et al. Med J Armed Forces India. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Literature search forms the foundation of most clinical decisions about patient management and is the starting point for all bedside/bench-side research. Despite being an essential tool in the armamentarium of all medical professionals and researchers, literature search remains a challenge, often resulting in frustration and waste of time (and resources). This article aims to provide a beginner's guide to information seekers for a step-wise approach to literature search on web-based databases.

Keywords: Database; Embase; PubMed; Web of science.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The figure explains pictorially different steps involved with pubmed search. The figure has to be read longitudinally from A→B→C and then from D→E→F. In panel A, the researcher browses to the PubMed homepage (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov); the researcher can either type the query in the search bar or can click on “NIH” (as highlighted by red circle). This will take him to the next page highlighted in panel B. Here the individual clicks on “All databases” and scrolls to “MeSH” (panel C). Then typing the word in search bar will generate the relevant MeSH term. Panels D to F highlight the use of Boolean operators. Either the keywords can be typed in the search bar and combined with AND, OR, NOT in upper case or one can click on “Advanced” (circled red in Panel D). The new page (panel E) will give options for search and operators. One may choose the Boolean operators by scrolling “ADD” function (circled red in panel F).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The figure explains the use of filters in PubMed. Panels A to C illustrate the use of filters. The filters are on left hand in a columnar fashion of search page (circled red in panel A). Clicking on “Additional filters” (marked by red arrow in panel A) will open a new box from which different filters can be chosen (panel B and C). The additional filters can be chosen based on search strategy; for example, a definite age group (Panel B) or specifically human studies (Panel C). Panel D highlights the other search strategies that can be used like authors, books, editors, etc. Panel E and F highlight the use of time filter. Searching for “febrile seizure” generates more than 5800 results (panel E). By using the scroll bar if the results are filtered to 2001 to 2022, the output can be reduced to nearly 4000 (panel F).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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